Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) Update: 184 Colorado Quarantines

Colorado.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 28, 2014

Contacts:
Veterinarians and Livestock Owners: State Veterinarian’s Office, (303) 869-9130
Media: Christi Lightcap, (303) 869-9005, Christi.Lightcap@state.co.us

Vesicular Stomatitis (VS): 222 Colorado Quarantines Since Beginning of Outbreak

Guidelines for Livestock Shows, Fairs, Exhibitions, and Events


BROOMFIELD, Colo. –As of 8/27/2014, the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s State Veterinarian’s Office has 205 locations under quarantine after horses and cows tested positive for Vesicular Stomatitis (VS); 17 of the 222 total quarantines have now been released.

“The good news is that we have been able to release a number of quarantines and we expect that number to increase over the coming days and weeks. But, livestock owners must remain vigilant in their fly control. There is evidence that fly control as a prevention practice has been effective in disease prevention,” said State Veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr.

VS can be painful for animals and costly to their owners. The virus typically causes oral blisters and sores that can be painful causing difficulty in eating and drinking. In Colorado, there have been 313 horses and 7 cows that tested positive for VS.

County totals are:

· Adams – 10 (1 released)

· Boulder – 67 (6 released)

· Broomfield – 2

· Douglas – 1

· El Paso – 1

· Jefferson – 10

· Larimer – 56

· Weld – 75 (10 released)

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